AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - November 30, 2009) - Brigham Exploration Company (NASDAQ: BEXP)
announced that its operated Strand 16-9 #1H produced approximately 2,264
barrels of oil equivalent per day from the Bakken formation during an early
24 hour flow back period. The Strand was completed with 26 frac stages and
represents Brigham's highest reported 24 hour flow back rate to date of its
eight long lateral, multi-stage fracture stimulation completions in the
Williston Basin.

The Strand was successfully fracture stimulated and produced approximately
1,947 barrels of oil and 1.9 MMcf of natural gas, or 2,264 barrels of oil
equivalent, from the Bakken formation during a 24 hour period. Brigham
maintains an approximate 21% working interest in the Strand, which is the
fourth well completed under the drilling participation agreement with U.S.
Energy Corp. (NASDAQ: USEG). Brigham's interest in the Strand will
increase upon payout of the first six wells in the drilling participation
agreement.

Importantly, the Strand represents Brigham's third consecutive successful
producer in the northwestern portion of its Rough Rider acreage position in
Williams County, North Dakota. The Strand is approximately 8 miles to the
southeast of Brigham's BCD Farms 16-21 #1H completion and roughly 6 miles
to the east of Brigham's Lee 16-21 #1H completion. The Strand is also
Brigham's sixth consecutive high rate producer in its Rough Rider project
area of Williams and McKenzie County, North Dakota. Brigham has now
completed eight consecutive high rate Bakken and Three Forks wells in the
basin with early peak production rates averaging approximately 1,900
barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Brigham is expected to commence completion operations on the Williston
25-36 #1H (~ 35% working interest) and the State 36-1 #1H (~ 15% working
interest) in mid December. The Williston and the State, which represent
the fifth and sixth drilling participation agreement wells, are expected to
be completed with 32 and 30 frac stages, respectively. Brigham has reached
total depth on the Jackson 35-34 #1H (~ 58% working interest) and is
expected to run 29 swell packers to bottom later this week.

Brigham is currently in the process of rigging up drilling operations on
the Owan Nehring 27-34 #1H (~ 49% working interest), which is a Bakken well
in the western portion of its Rough Rider acreage, and the Liffrig 20-29
#1H (~ 72% working interest), which is a Three Forks well in its Ross
project area in Mountrail County. Subsequent to completing drilling
operations on the Jackson, Brigham will commence the Jack Erickson 6-31 #1H
(~ 15% working interest), which will be a Bakken well in our Rough Rider
project area proximate to the Brad Olson 9-16 #1H.

Bud Brigham, the Chairman, President and CEO, stated, "Our operations and
geological steering groups continue to deliver exceptional and consistent
performance with the completion of the Strand. We believe our completions
using a high number of frac stages, perf and plug and ceramic proppant
represent an optimal recipe that we'll continue to modify slightly in order
to further improve results. We're excited with the opportunity to slightly
increase the number of frac stages with the Williston and State wells to 32
and 30 stages, respectively, and thereby maximize results on our
approximate 150,000 net acres in our core Rough Rider, Ross and Parshall /
Austin project areas."

About Brigham Exploration

Brigham Exploration Company is an independent exploration, development and
production company that utilizes advanced exploration, drilling and
completion technologies to systematically explore for, develop and produce
domestic onshore oil and natural gas reserves. For more information about
Brigham Exploration, please visit our website at www.bexp3d.com or contact
Investor Relations at 512-427-3444.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters
discussed in this news release are forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the federal securities laws. Important factors that could cause
our actual results to differ materially from those contained in the
forward-looking statements include initial production rates which decline
steeply over the early life of wells, our growth strategies, our ability to
successfully and economically explore for and develop oil and gas
resources, anticipated trends in our business our liquidity and ability to
finance our exploration and development activities market conditions in
the oil and gas industry our ability to make and integrate acquisitions,
the impact of governmental regulation and other risks more fully described
in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward-looking statements are typically identified by use of terms such as
"may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and similar words,
although some forward-looking statements may be expressed differently. All
forward-looking statements contained in this release, including any
forecasts and estimates, are based on management's outlook only as of the
date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise
these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of subsequent
developments or otherwise.